Michael Rodd and Vlad Duric happy to call Singapore home

Australian jockeys Michael Rodd and Vlad Duric don’t miss the relentless grind of Melbourne racing and are enjoying life on and off the track in Singapore.

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Australian jockeys have been dominating Asian racing.

Zac Purton won the Hong Kong premiership in a breeze and Damian Lane took Japan by storm.

It’s a similar story in Singapore. Vlad Duric (48 wins) is a clear leader in the premiership over Michael Rodd (39) at the halfway mark of the season.

Rodd and Duric both refugees of Victoria’s wall-to-wall racing, couldn’t be happier with their decision to ride in Singapore.

Both cited being closer to their families, and riding at two meetings a week at the one track (Kranji), as advantages. Neither says he is likely to base himself in Melbourne again.

It’s hard to fathom a jockey of Rodd’s standing could be lost to Australian racing but he’s almost accepted that’s his fate.

Rodd, 37, is the winner of 33 Group 1 race in Australia, including the 2007 Melbourne Cup on Efficient. He said the around-the-clock nature of Melbourne racing had worn him down.

Michael Rodd said the grind of Melbourne racing took its toll. Picture: AAP

He added he found it difficult freelancing after splitting from trainer Mark Kavanagh, and he was envious of Craig Williams and Damien Oliver and their work ethic.

“I had had great success,” Rodd said. “But to keep at that really good level and compete against Ollie and Craig, guys who are highly motivated jockeys, I found it tough.

“They don’t dip. They’re always at trackwork and trials and I found it tough to do that.

“I was looking for a change and this came along at the right time. I found Melbourne racing taxing. You’ve got to ride trackwork every day, and it’s not really me to do that.

“I was wavering a bit in my career and this came along, and the workload and the climate suits me perfectly. I didn’t know I’d be here this long, but it’s suited me and my family.”

Rodd has teamed up with former Melbourne trainer Cliff Brown. He said he had the most success when he was in a partnership with a trainer.

Duric, 41, who is heading for his third premiership in a row, said he would end his career in Singapore.

“I had the chance to go to Hong Kong last year, but I’d have to start again,” he said. “I’m happy being a big fish in a small pond.

Vlad Duric has enjoyed great success in Singapore. Picture: Getty Images

“Singapore has prolonged my career. I didn’t think I’d ride after 40 but not having to travel and do the hard yards you need to do at home helps. Also the weather is super.”

Daniel Moor, 34, took up a contract in Singapore and is loving the lifestyle.

“It’s different,” he said. “I get to see my family here and I can be a regular dad and a regular human being.

“I’m living a bit more of a life here rather than the daily grind seven days a week back home. You feel a lot better going to the races twice a week. It’s a good mental and physical break.”

Moor said he wanted to stay in Singapore for as long as possible, but was confident if he would be able to fit back in if he returned to Melbourne.

Former top Melbourne apprentice Ben Thompson, 22, has been in Singapore this year and said riding in another country had been a great learning curve for him.

“This is a chance for me to add another string to my bow early in my career,” he said. “I’ll decide at the end of the year whether I go back home.”

Australians are also to the fore in the trainers’ premiership. New Zealander Mark Walker is the leading trainer and Brown third. Lee Freedman won last year’s title.

Chief steward Terry Bailey has changed the country’s riding culture, and Matt Pumpa recently took up a position as apprentice jockeys’ coach.

Originally published as Michael Rodd and Vlad Duric happy to call Singapore home